Defending HBCU national champion Jackson State Tigers open the 2025 campaign as the near-unanimous favorite in the BOXTOROW Preseason Media Poll, capturing 22 of 23 first-place votes.
The Tigers headline a season defined by high-profile departures and emerging talent across historically Black colleges and universities.
South Carolina State is ranked second in the poll, followed by North Carolina Central at third. Southern, which received the lone remaining first-place vote, is ranked fourth. Florida A&M rounds out the top five.
Notable newcomers include Alabama State (No. 8) and Albany State (No. 10), both unranked in last year’s final poll. Tennessee State fell three spots to No. 6 despite the previous season’s 9-4 campaign.
Jackson State running back Travis Terrell Jr. faces the daunting task of replacing 2024 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Irv Mulligan, who rushed for 1,245 yards. Terrell, named to the HBCU National Player of the Year preseason watch list, averaged 6.1 yards per carry last season and returns kickoffs for the ranked squad.
At Morgan State, defensive lineman Dashawn Fields assumes the role vacated by MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Elijah Williams (31 career sacks). The preseason All-MEAC selection aims to build upon his 16-tackle sophomore campaign. Florida A&M defensive back TJ Huggins, a SWAC preseason first-teamer, steps in for All-Conference standout Kendall Bohler after leading the Rattlers with three interceptions in 2024.
North Carolina Central receivers Chance Peterson and Chauncey Spikes must fill the void left by top targets Joaquin Davis (NFL) and Markell Quick (transfer). The duo combined for 544 receiving yards last season and will be crucial to sustaining NCCU’s top three MEAC passing attack.
Tennessee State begins its post-Eddie George era under head coach Reggie Barlow, who inherits a conference championship roster. Barlow, formerly of the XFL’s DC Defenders, where he earned 2023 Coach of the Year honors, replaces George after his departure to Bowling Green. The Tigers seek stability after dropping to No. 6 in the poll despite last year’s nine-win season and FCS playoff appearance.
The 2025 HBCU season kicks off August 30, with conference play determining bids to December’s Celebration Bowl. Jackson State’s pursuit of a repeat title, Southern’s dark-horse potential and the resurgence of programs like Alabama State headline the compelling storylines ahead.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Facebook and TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more sports, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
